AP News Digest 5:30 a.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. has recorded more than 20,000 deaths from the coronavirus, overtaking Italy for the highest death toll in the world. About half of the deaths in the United States happened in the New York metropolitan area, but fear is mounting over the spread of the virus into the nation’s heartland. Hot spots of contagion are erupting in the Midwest, including nursing home deaths in Indiana and Iowa and deaths at the Cook County Jail in Chicago. Cook County has also set up a temporary morgue that can take more than 2,000 bodies. Globally, confirmed infections rose to about 1.8 million.. By Kathleen Foody, Amy Forliti and Geir Moulson. SENT: 850 words, photos. WITH: VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST; VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT’S HAPPENING (both sent).
VATICAN EASTER — Catholics around the world are marking a solitary Easter, forced to celebrate the most joyful day in the Christian calendar largely alone amid the sorrowful reminders of the devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, St. Peter’s Square would be awash in fresh flowers on Easter Sunday. There would be tulips and orchids in a riot of color to underscore Easter’s message of life and rebirth following Christ’s crucifixion. By Nicole Winfield. SENT: 420 words, photos. DEVELOPING: Mass begins at 9 GMT.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TURKEY — Police across Turkey are conducting routine ID checks on streets and buses, stopping anyone who looks under 20 or over 65 as they enforce a coronavirus curfew for on the young and the elderly. Meanwhile factory workers are still going to their jobs and many offices remain open. Turkey has charted its own course to navigate the pandemic with more relaxed restrictions than its neighbors in Europe and the Middle East. SENT: 970 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-LIVES LOST-A POLICE MENTOR — Lenard “Lenny” Wells had wide influence in his decades in law enforcement. He mentored generations of officers and community activists who went on to become police leaders and lawmakers. He helped ensure African Americans had equal access to promotions in the desegregated Milwaukee Police Department. Wells died March 21 at age 69 of complications from the coronavirus. By SCOTT BAUER. SENT: 740 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHURCH EARLY — The coronavirus has pushed the members of Relevant Church in Clover, South Carolina, out of their usual church setting. Impending bad weather made the church hold its Easter Sunday service on Saturday. Nearly 300 people pulled up in cars, SUVs and trucks to listen to Pastor Matt McGarity’s sermon on an FM radio station. SENT: 370 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW ZEALAND-STRANDED GERMANS — Four German students say they’re glad they’ll finally get to fly home but sad to leave the New Zealand family that has sheltered them for 2 1/2 weeks during a nationwide lockdown. The adult students had planned to be traveling around New Zealand when the country imposed the lockdown in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus. SENT: 340 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — The Israeli government has approved a tight quarantine in several areas of Jerusalem, including the historic Old City, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the city’s most susceptible neighborhoods. The measure, which takes effect at noon on Sunday, faced resistance from ultra-Orthodox ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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SUPREME COURT-TEXAS ABORTIONS — Abortion clinics in Texas are asking the Supreme Court to step in to allow certain abortions to continue during the coronavirus pandemic. The clinics filed an emergency motion Saturday asking the justices to overturn a lower-court order and allow abortions when they can be performed using medication. SENT: 240 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ANTARCTIC SHIP —More than 100 Australian and New Zealand passengers of the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer, most of whom infected by the coronavirus, have arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Uruguay. The plane with 112 passengers, including 96 Australians, was boarded immediately after arrival by medical staff in hazmat suits. SENT: 260 words, photos.
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ALASKA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY — Joe Biden has won the Alaska Democrats’ party-run presidential primary, beating Sen. Bernie Sanders days after Sanders suspended his campaign. Biden beat Sanders Saturday by 10.6 percentage points. A total of 19,759 votes were cast. Casey Steinau, chairwoman of the state party, said Sanders, along with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who also have suspended their campaigns, asked to be included in the tallies. Sanders suspended his campaign this week but said he would keep his name on the ballot in states that haven’t yet voted. SENT: 360 words, photos.
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SEVERE WEATHER — The threat of strong tornadoes and other damaging weather on Easter is posing a double-edged safety dilemma for Deep South communities deciding how to protect residents during the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 500 words, photos.
DOCTOR HANDCUFFED-FLORIDA — An internal investigation has been launched into why an African American doctor known for testing the homeless for the coronavirus was handcuffed outside his home by a police sergeant, Miami’s police chief says. SENT: 300 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TV-SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — For the first time in its lengthy history, ‘Saturday Night Live’ held an all-quarantine version, with stars delivering taped material primarily from their homes. Coronavirus pioneer Tom Hanks was the guest host, with Chris Martin the musical guest and cameos from Larry David portraying Bernie Sanders and Alec Baldwin as President Donald Trump. It’s the first time the show has been on the air since early March. SENT: 620 words, photo.
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PARALYMPICS-SYNCHRO SWIMMING-PHOTO GALLERY — The “Progetto Filippide” team is a group of Italian synchronized swimmers with Down syndrome who are promoting their sport for inclusion in the Paralympics. The team is planning to perform at the Para Artistic Swimming Festival & International Friendly Games held between the Olympics and Paralympics. The performance will now likely be held in 2021 due to the year-long postponement of the Tokyo Games.
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